Self-feeding paint roller

ABSTRACT

Self-feeding paint rollers in which the paint is automatically supplied to the roller as the roller is being rolled over a surface to be painted, has a drive gear connected to the roller and rotatable therewith. A cylinder and piston arrangement is mounted within the roller and is operably connected to the drive gear whereby rotation of the roller causes the piston to move in a first direction to supply paint from a paint can to the cylinder and to move the piston in a second direction to eject the paint from the cylinder into the roller for application to a surface to be painted.

United States Patent 2,419,338 4/1947 De Marco 401/149 X 3,187,368 6/1965 Fugate 401/147 3,320,630 5/1967 Furlong 401/147 Primary ExaminerLawrenee Charles Attorney-Karl L. Spivak ABSTRACT: Self-feeding paint rollers in which the paint is 6 Claims, 12 Drawing Figs.

automatically supplied to the roller as the roller is being rolled [52] US. Cl 401/147 over a Surface to be painted has a drive gear connected to the [51] Int. Cl 843m 11/02 roller and rotaable therewith A cylinder and piston arrange [50] Fleld of Search I 401/147, men: is mounted within the roller and is operably connected 17 l 1 13/266 to the drive gear whereby rotation of the roller causes the piston to move in a first direction to supply paint from a paint [56] References Cited can to the cylinder and to move the piston in a second UNITED ST TE AT T direction to eject the paint from the cylinder into the roller for 1,915,317 6/1933 Hopkins et al 401/147 X pp n to a surface to be p 200 e 228 fist?- gems-mas? 4 w" 232 250 E31? 240- 2 -24e 260 \-2s&

iY -Z ?7'/?V \A L-1;5\Q?J3.) vg-: 1 m gm p SELF-FEEDING PAINT ROLLER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Self-feeding paint rollers for automatically feeding paint from a paint can to the roller to eliminate the need for conventional dip pans are known in the prior art. Some of the prior art self-feeding paint rollers require the addition of pump and valve mechanisms mounted externally of the roller and handle assembly of conventional paint rollers, as exemplified in [1.8. Pat. No. 3,320,630. Such an arrangement increases the bulk of the paint roller, thereby making the roller more cumbersome to use. Still other prior art self-feeding paint rollers require the use of motor-driven compressors or pumps, and therefore depend upon a connection to an electrical outlet for their use. Many of the prior art self-feeding paint rollers have intricate feeding mechanisms which are unreliable and require a great deal of maintenance.

SUMMARY This invention relates to self-feeding paint rollers in which all of the components for feeding paint from a can to the roller are contained within conventional paint roller constructions normally utilized with a dip pan. In the several embodiments of this invention a drive gear is integrally connected to an end wall which defines an inner, apertured core of the roller, and said drive gear operates a piston and cylinder arrangement through either a driven gear and linkage arrangement, or a driven gear arrangement alone, to feed paint from a paint can into the cylinder and to discharge paint from the cylinder through the apertured core of the roller whereby the paint is applied to a surface to be painted. The self-feeding mechanisms in the several embodiments of this invention are only operable when the roller is rolled over a surface to be painted since the drive gear is integrally connected to an end wall of the apertured core of the roller, and therefore will not operate to drive the other components of the self-feeding mechanism unless the roller is rotated. In addition, all components of the self-feeding mechanisms in my invention are housed either within the roller itself, or within the roller and handle. Therefore, there are no external components which increase the bulk of the roller, to thereby render its use more cumbersome than conventional non-self-feeding paint rollers.

The self-feeding mechanisms in the several embodiments of my invention rely on gear and/or linkage arrangements to control the feeding of paint into the roller and the discharge of paint from the roller, and does not require the use of motor driven compressors or pumps.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide selffeeding paint rollers in which the self-feeding mechanisms are contained within the paint roller assembly.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide selffeeding paint rollers in which the self-feeding mechanisms do not depend upon motor driven compressors or pumps, and, therefore, do not rely upon the presence of electrical outlets for the use.

It is a further object of this invention to provide self-feeding paint rollers containing mechanical mechanisms which are extremely reliable, and do not require extensive maintenance.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention will be had by referring to the following description and claims of the preferred embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention with portions in section to expose details of construction of the selffeeding mechanism.

FIG. 2 shows a plane view of the self-feeding mechanism of the first embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 3 shows the self-feeding mechanism of the first embodiment of this invention taken along Line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the invention with portions in section to expose details of construction of the selffeeding mechanism.

FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the invention with the roller and handle in section to expose details of construction of the self-feeding mechanism.

FIG. 6 shows a fourth embodiment of the invention which is similar to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows a fifth embodiment of the invention which is similar to the embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 8 shows a sixth embodiment of the invention with the roller in section to expose details of construction of the selffeeding mechanism thereof.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8, but showing the parts of the self-feeding mechanism in a different operative position.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along Line 10-40 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 shows an additional embodiment of the invention with the roller in section to expose details of construction of the self-feeding mechanism.

FIG. 12 shows an additional embodiment of the invention with the roller in section to expose the details of construction of the self-feeding mechanism.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-3, the self-feeding paint roller comprises a roller 10 rotatably mounted on a horizontal portion 20 of a hollow holder 19, which is preferably in the form of an iron pipe. The roller comprises an inner, apertured core 12 having a plurality of apertures 16 therethrough. One end of the inner core 12 is closed by an end wall 14 having an opening therein to receive the horizontal portion 20 of hollow holder 19. The inner core 12 is provided with an outer sleeve 18 of lambs wool or other fleecy fabric which is conventionally utilized in paint rollers. A plug member 21 is connected by a force fit to the end of the inner core 12 opposite from end wall 14, said plug member having an opening therein which is in axial alignment with the opening through the end wall 14. A limiting member 22 is integrally connected to one end of the horizontal portion 20 by any suitable means, such as welding, said limiting member providing an abutment against which end wall 14 of roller 10 abuts when the roller is properly positioned on the horizontal portion 20. The opposite end of the horizontal portion 20 extends through the opening in the plug member 21 and is provided with threads 24 thereon. The end of the holder 19 which is remote from the threaded end is enclosed within a handle 28 and is connected by a suitable clamp 32 to a flexible plastic tube 30 which is adapted to be inserted into a can of paint (not shown).

Referring now to the self-feeding mechanism of the first embodiment of this invention, a drive gear 34 is connected within the interior of roller 10 to the inner surface of end wall 14 by suitable fastening means, such as screws 36. The drive gear is provided with a cylindrical opening 38 therethrough, through which the horizontal portion 20 of the hollow holder 19 passes. The drive gear is provided with gear teeth 40 which mesh with gear teeth 44 of round driven gear 42, said driven gear 42 being rotatably mounted on a shaft 46. The shaft 46 is fixedly secured to the horizontal portion 20 of the hollow holder 19 by any suitable means such as welding. The round driven gear 42 is provided with an eccentrically mounted pin 48 upstanding from the upper surface thereof, the function of which will be described later.

A hollow cylinder 50 is mounted on the outer periphery of the horizontal portion 20 of the holder 19 by suitable supports 52. A piston rod 56 extends within the cylinder 50 and has one end extending out of said cylinder through an opening in end wall 58, and the other end connected to a piston 54 which frictionally engages the interior walls of the cylinder 50. It is understood that suitable sealing means are provided between the piston rod and the end wall 58 of the cylinder 50 to prevent fluid leakage from the cylinder.

A discharge assembly 62, and an intake assembly 78 are in communication with the cylinder 50 through end wall 60 thereof. The discharge assembly is comprised of a tube 64 and a tube 66 interconnected by valve housing 68. One end of tube 64 is sealed within the end wall 60 of the cylinder 50, and the opposite end of the tube is sealed within one end of the valve housing 68. One end of tube 66 is sealed within the end of the valve housing 68 opposite from the end in which tube 64 is sealed, said tube 66 having a horizontal portion 74 with a plurality of apertures 76 extending therethrough and in communication with the hollow interior thereof. The valve housing 68 is provided with a discharge valve assembly comprising a flat flapper plate 70 which is spring loaded by an L-shaped spring member 72 to close the end of tube 64 extending within the valve housing.

The intake assembly is comprised of a tube 80 and a tube 82 interconnected by valve housing 86. The tube 80 has one end sealed within end wall 60 of cylinder 50 and in communication with the interior thereof, the opposite end of tube 80 being seale'd within valve housing 86. The tube 82 is sealed within the end of valve housing 86 opposite from the end in which tube 80 is sealed, and the opposite end of tube 82 is connected to the horizontal portion 20 of the hollow holder 19 and is in communication with the hollow interior thereof.

A flat flapper plate 88 is mounted within valve housing 86 and is spring loaded by an L-shaped spring 90 to close the end of tube 82 which is sealed within said valve housing 86.

An articulating link 92 is pivotally mounted on pin 48 which is eccentrically mounted on the round driven gear 42', and is also pivotally connected to the end of the piston rod 56 which extends out from the end wall 58 of the cylinder 50.

The roller is operated in the manner now to be described. As an operator rolls the roller over a surface to be painted, the roller 10 rotates to thereby rotate drive gear 34 which rotates the round driven gear 42 as a result of the intermeshing of gear teeth 40 with gear teeth 44. By virtue of the mounting of piston rod 56 to the round driven gear 42 through the articulating link 92, the rotary motion of the driven gear 42 is converted into reciprocating motion of the piston rod 56 and piston 54. During one complete revolution of the driven gear 42 the piston will complete one cycle, i.e., the piston will travel from a position adjacent end wall 60 to a position adjacent end wall 58, and then back to its position adjacent end wall 60. During one-half of this cycle, i.e., as the piston is moving in a direction from end wall 60 toward end wall 58, a vacuum, or reduced pressure region, is created in tube 80 to thereby open the flat flapper plate 88 against the spring pressure applied by L-shaped spring 90 to provide a direct line of communication from the paint can to the cylinder 50 through the flexible plastic tube 30, the hollow holder 19, the tube 82, the valve housing 86, and the tube 80. Therefore, as the piston is moved toward end wall 58 of the cylinder 50, paint is caused to flow into the cylinder. At the same time, a reduced pressure region is applied within the tube 64 of the discharge assembly 62 to aid in retaining the flat flapper plate 70 of the discharge valve assembly in its closed position. During the second half of the cycle, i.e., as the piston 54 is moving from its position adjacent end wall 58 toward end wall 60, a high pressure is created through the intake tube 80 to thereby close the flat flapper plate 88 to prevent the paint from being ejected back into the paint can. This high pressure region is also created within tube 64 of the discharge assembly 62 to force the flat flapper plate 70 to an open position against the spring force of L-shaped spring member 72 to permit direct communication from the cylinder 50 to the tube 66 through valve housing 68. Therefore, the paint is forced through the horizontal portion 74 of the tube 66, and through the apertures 76 in said horizontal portion. The paint then exits through the aperture 16 in the inner-apertured core 12 of the roller 10, and is absorbed by the lambs wool or other fleecy fabric, and applied to the surface which is being painted.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a second embodiment of the invention is shown. In this embodiment, a hollow holder 100 is provided with a bow-shaped member 102 upon which the roller is rotatably mounted, said bow-shaped member 102 representing a variance from the horizontal portion 20 of the first embodiment of this invention. The bow-shapedmember 102 is provided with horizontal end sections 104 which are in axial alignment, and upon which the roller is mounted. A central horizontal portion 108 is axially offset from the horizontal end sections 104 and is interconnected to said end sections by substantially vertical sections 106. This mounting arrangement permits the use of a cylinder 110 which is substantially larger than the cylinder 50 utilized in the first embodiment of this invention. The cylinder 110 is comprised of an end wall 112 through which piston rod 114 extends, and an end wall 116 into which an intake tube 118, and a discharge tube 126 are mounted, said intake tube and discharge tube being in communication with the interior of cylinder 110. The hollow holder 100 terminates in a handle 120, said handle having a threaded pipe 121 connected through the wall of the handle which is opposite from the wall at which the hollow holder 100 terminates. A flat flapper plate 122 is spring biased by an L- shaped spring 124 to close the upper opening of the threaded pipe 121. This flapper plate arrangement serves the same function as the flapper plate 88 and L-shaped spring which was provided in the intake assembly 78 of the first embodiment of this invention. Although not shown in FIG. 4, the discharge tube 126 is connected through a valve housing to an outlet tubehaving a horizontal portion with apertures therein, in the same manner as disclosed with respect to the first embodiment of this invention; however, such elements have been omitted in FIG. 4 for purposes of clarity.

The embodiment disclosed in FlG. 4 operates in exactly the same manner as the embodiments disclosed in FIGS. 1 through 3, it being remembered that the flat flapper plate 122 and L-shaped spring 124 in the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 4 performs the same function as the flat flapper plate 88 and L-shaped spring 90 mounted within valve housing 86 in the first embodiment of this invention.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a third embodiment of this invention is disclosed. In this embodiment of the invention, a roller 200 having an inner-apertured core 212 with an end wall 214 is provided, and is the same as the roller described in the previous embodiments of this invention. A hollow holder 216 has a horizontal portion 218 upon which the roller 200 is rotatably mounted. One end of the hollow holder 216 terminates in a handle 220, and a limiting member 222 is integrally connected to the horizontal portion 218 of the hollow holder by any suitable means, such as welding, to limit axial movement of roller 200 on the horizontal portion 218. A conical support member 224 is connected to the horizontal portion 218 of the hollow holder 216 by any suitable means, such as welding, said conical support member having an aperture 226 extending therethrough, and in alignment with an aperture 232 provided in end wall 230 of cylinder 228. The conical support member 224 is also integrally connected to the end wall 230 of cylinder 228 to provide stabilization for said cylinder. A discharge flapper valve is mounted within aperture 226 and comprises a flat flapper plate 234, which is spring loaded to a closed position by L-shaped spring member 236. An interior unit 248 is force fit into the interior of cylinder 228 to define a fluid-receiving passage 225 therein. The interior unit 248 is comprised of a cylindrical forward section 250 having a longitudinally extending passage 252 extending therethrough. The interior unit further comprises a substantially hemispherical rear section having a flat upper surface 254 to which a round driven gear 256 is concentrically mounted for rotation upon a shaft 258. A pin 260 is eccentrically mounted on the upper surface of the round driven gear 256.

A piston 264 is mounted within the fluid-receiving passage 255 and has a piston rod 262 integrally connected therewith and extending through the longitudinal passage 252 in the cylindrical forward section 250 of the interior unit 248. The free end of the piston rod 262 which extends through the cylindrical forward section 250 of the interior unit 248 is connected to the driven gear 256 by an articulating link 266 which is rotatably mounted on the eccentrically mounted pin 260 and the piston rod.

A plug member 238 is force fit into the end of cylinder 228 opposite from end wall 230, said plug member having an inner wall 240 provided with a cylindrical sealing groove 242 for receiving the wall of cylinder 228 to close the cylinder.

A threaded pipe is screwedinto the lower wall of. handle 220, said pipe being closed at its upper end by a an intake flapper valve consisting of a flat flapper plate 270 which is spring loaded to its closed position by an L-shaped spring member 272. A flexible plastic tube is connectedto the lower end of the threaded pipe by a clamp means 276, saidflexible plastic tubing being adapted to be inserted into a paint can 278.

This embodiment of the invention operates in a manner similar to that described with respect tothe previous embodiments. As the roller is rotated upon the surface which is to be painted, drive gear 244 which is integrally connected to plug 238 through shaft 246, is rotated to drive the rotatably mounted driven gear 256. The rotational movement of driven gear 256 is converted into reciprocatory motion of piston rod 262 by virtue of the interconnection between the driven gear and the piston rod through articulating link 266. As the piston 264 moves in a direction away from end wall 230 of the cylinder 228, a vacuum, or-reduced pressure region, is created within the hollow holder 216 to open the intake flapper valve (flat flapper plate 270) to thereby permit direct communication between the paint in the paint can and the fluid receiving passage 255, said reduced pressure-region permitting the paint to flow into said fluid receiving passage. As the piston 264 moves toward the end wall 230, an increased pressure region is provided within the hollow holder 216, and the aperture 226 extending to the conical support member 224. This increased pressure region closes the intake flapper .valve to preventpaint from being forced back into the paint can 278, and forces the discharge flapper valve to its open position whereby paint is ejected into the interior of the apertured core of the roller.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a fourth embodiment of this invention is shown, and differs from the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 5 in the construction of the interior unit. The modified interior unit 300 shown in FIG. 6 is identical to the interior unit 248 disclosed in FIG. 5 with the exception that a cylindrical end portion 302 is integrally formed at the end of substantially hemispherical section 303. -A horizontally directed aperture extends through the cylindrical end portion 302, and receives the cylindrical shaft 308 which is integrally formed with plug 306, the drive gear 310 being fixedly connected to the cylindrical shaft 308. In all other respects, the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 6 is exactly the same as the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 5.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a fifth embodiment of this invention is disclosed, and specifically represents a modified version of the embodiments disclosed in FIGS. 5 and 6. In this embodiment the interior unit 400 represents a modification of the interior unit 248 disclosed in FIG. 5, and the interior unit 300 disclosed in FIG. 6, by the addition of a cylindrical end portion 402 which is'separately formed from the remainder of the interior unit.

The addition of a cylindrical end portion, such as 302 in the FIG. 6 embodiment, and 402 in the FIG. 7 embodiment provides additional sealing of the cylinder to-prevent any paint leakage from the roller.

Referring now to F IGS; 8-10, a sixth embodiment of this invention is disclosed. This embodiment of the invention difiers from the embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 5-7 in the particular construction of the interior unit, and the specific gear arrangement by which movement of the piston is effected. In all other respects the embodiment of the invention disclosed in FIGS. 8-10 is the same as the embodiments disclosed in FIGS. 57. A longitudinally extending cylindrical interior unit 500 is force fit into cylinder 502 to define a fluid-receiving passage 503 therein. A countersunk bore 504 is formed in end wall 506 of the interior unit, and a longitudinally extending cylindrical passage 510 extends inwardly from the base 508 of said countersunk bore and terminates in a base 511 short of end wall 514. A cylindrical opening 512 extends through the outer cylindrical surface 507 of the interior unit, and through the cylindrical passage 510. A countersunk'bore 516 is provided in end wall 514 of the interior unit 500 and terminates in a base 518. A longitudinally extending passage 520 extends axially through the base 518 of the countersunk bore and is disposed substantially parallel to thelongitudinally extending cylindrical passage 510. g

A plug member 522 in force fit into intimate contact with the inner cylindrical surface of the inner aperture core 524 of the roller, said plug member being provided with an angular groove in the inner wall thereof for receiving the end of cylinder 502 in the same manner as shown in the embodiments disclosed in FIGS. 5 through 7. The plug 522 is provided with an'integral hub 526 which fits within countersunk bore 516, and a shaft 528 is integrally formed with hub 526 and has a worm gear 530 formed on the end thereof. In assembled position, the shaft 528 extends through longitudinally extending passage 520, and the worm gear 530 formed thereon is in communication with the cylindrical opening 512.

A cylindrical gear 532 is positioned within cylindrical opening 512, and is comprised of gears on its outer periphery and a centrally geared aperture which is in axial alignment with longitudinally extending cylindrical passage 510.

A piston 538 is mounted within fluid receiving passage 503, and has a piston rod 540 connected therewith. The piston rod extends through'the longitudinally extending passage 510, and is provided with a worm gear 542 along part of its longitudinal length. The teeth of worm gear 542 are provided with longitudinally aligned grooves 544 (FIG. 10) which are engaged by a tongue 546 projecting upwardly into passage 510, and tongue 546 terminating in a forward end wall 548 and a rear end wall 550. A rear coil spring 556 is mounted within the longitudinally extending cylindrical passage 510 between the base 511 thereof, and rear end wall 550 of the tongue 546, and a forward coil spring 554 is mounted within the passage 510, abuts against the forward end wall 548 of the tongue 546. The forward coil spring is confined within the passage 510 by an end closure plate 552 which is connected to the end wall 506 of the interior-unit 500 by any suitable fastening means such as screws-The longitudinallength of the worm gear on the piston rod is substantially equal to the desired length of travel for the piston 538.

The operation of the device will now be described. Referring to FIG. 8, the piston 538 is shown in its most retracted position adjacent end wall 506 of the interior unit 500. In this position, the worm gear 542 on the piston rod is out of engagement with the gears of central aperture 536 of the cylindrical gear 532, and the gears of the central aperture are in rotational engagement with the smooth surface of the piston rod adjacent-the wonn gear 542. Rear coil spring 556 iscor'npressed between the outer gear tooth of the worm gear on the piston rod 540 and the base 511 of the cylindrical passage 513. In the event the roller is rotated in the direction wherein the worm gear 530 would tend to drive the piston 538 in a direction closer to end wall 506 of the interior unit 500, the piston will not move since the centrally geared aperture 536 is out of engagement with the worm gear 542 of the piston rod 540. If the roller is rotated in a direction wherein the worm gear 530 would tend to move the piston in a direction away from the end wall 506, the rear coil spring 556 will urge the piston rod forward to a position wherein the centrally geared aperture 536 of the cylindrical gear 532 engages the'worm gear 542 of the piston rod 540 whereby continued rotation of the worm gear 530 will rotate the cylindrical gear 532 by virtue of the engagement of the worm gear 530 with the gears on the outer periphery of the cylindrical gear 532, thereby causing the interior gears of cylindrical gear 532 to drive the piston rod away from the end wall 506 by virtue of the engagement of the central gears 536 with the worm gear 542 of the piston rod. The piston rod is prevented from rotating by virtue of the interconnection between tongue 546 and the axially aligned groove 544 in the worm gear. (See FIG. 10). Since the longitudinal length of the worm gear on the piston rod is precisely equal to, the desired length of travel of the piston within the fluid receiving passage 503, there is no danger of damaging the cylinder 502 by virtue of the piston applying excessive force to the end wall of the cylinder. When the piston is extended to its furthest position away from end wall 506, the centrally geared aperture 536 of cylindrical gear 532 is out of engagement with the wonn gear of the piston rod, and rotates freely on the ungeared portion of the piston rod, until the direction of rotation of the roller is reversed, at which time the forward coil spring will urge the worm geared portion of the piston rod into engagement with the centrally geared aperture 536 of the cylindrical gear to pennit the piston rod and piston to be drawn inwardly toward end wall 506.

The intake and discharge valves are exactly the same as described with respect to the embodiments of FIGS. through 7, and therefore a repetition of the description of the operation of these valves is not deemed necessary.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a seventh embodiment of this invention is set forth having internal construction and operation different from that disclosed in FIGS. 5-7. In all other respects, the embodiment of the invention disclosed in FIG. 11 is the same as the embodiments disclosed in FIGS. 5-7 and accordingly, similar parts will not be further described in conjunction with the present embodiment.

A cylindrical casing 600 positions within the inner aperture core 602 and carries the piston operating mechanism as hereinafter more fully set forth. The piston 604 reciprocates within the interior of the cylinder 600 and varies the paint receiving area 606 for pumping operation in the same manner as hereinbefore described. The piston 604 axially carries the affixed piston rod 608 which also reciprocates within the interior of the cylinder 600. A cylindrical bearing block 610 inwardly positions within the cylinder 600 with respect to the piston 604 and is affixed in position in well-known manner such as by pins (not shown). The bearing block 610 is axially drilled to provide an axially aligned bearing 612 to rotatively receive the piston shaft 608 therein. A portion of the bearing surface 612 is provided with a longitudinally aligned tongue and the shaft 608 is provided with a cooperating longitudinally aligned groove (both not shown) of similar construction to that illustrated in FIG. to thereby permit only longitudinal movement of the shaft 608 with respect to the bearing 610 and to positively prevent any relative rotative motion therein. A pair of rear bearings 614, 616 are pinned or otherwise affixed within the cylinder 600 in spaced relationship near the end opposite the piston 604. Each bearing 614, 616 is axially drilled to provide axially aligned bearing surfaces 618, 620 which receive the interiorally threaded tube 622 therein in rotative engagement. The tube 622 affixes to the end plug 624 in any suitable well-known manner and the plug 624 in turn affixes to the roller inner aperture core 602 in stationary relationship thereto. Thus, upon rotation of the roller 626, the end plug 624 also rotates thereby causing the affixed threaded tube 622 to rotate within the bearings 614, 616. The free end 628 is interiorally threaded at 630 to receive the threaded end 632 of the piston shaft 608 in threaded engagement. A ball bearing race 634 interposes between the bearings 614, 616 and affixes to the outer periphery of the threaded tube 622 to thereby serve as a thrust bearing to prevent axial stresses from reaching the end plug 624.

The piston shaft 608 extends axially from the piston 604 and terminates in a threaded end 632. The end 632 is provided at the outer terminus thereof with an unthreaded idler section 636 which freely rides over the tube threads 630 without engagement thereon. Thus, when the idler section 636 align over the tube threads 630 when the piston 604 reaches its forwardmost position, rotative motion of the roller 626 will cause no movement whatsoever in the piston 604. A spring 638 biases between the end of the bearing 610 nearest the plug 624 and a shaft affixed ring 640 to continuously urge the piston shaft threads 632 into engagement with the internal threads 630 of the threaded tube 622 to thereby assure positive engagement of the threads upon additional rotative action of the roller 626. The idler section 642 at the piston end of the threaded section 632 serves to disengage the threaded section from the threaded tube 622 when the piston 604 reaches the rearward limit of its travel within the cylinder 600.

A second spring 643 coils about the piston shaft 608 and biases between the piston 604 and the piston end of the solid bearing block 610. The spring 643 serves to urge the threaded section 632 into engagement with the interior threads 630 of the tubular shah 622 after the piston reaches its rearwardmost position wherein the idler section 642 turns within the threads 630. Thus, upon reverse rotation of the roller 626, engagement of the threaded sections 632 and 630 will cause the piston 604 to travel forwardly causing the desired pumping action.

Referring now to FIG. 12, 1 show another embodiment similar to that illustrated in FIG. 1 1 wherein a piston 604 reciprocates within the cylinder 600 to thereby vary the size of the paint receiving area 606 for paint pumping procedures. A stationary bearing block 610 aflixes medially within the cylinder 600 and receives the piston shaft 646 therein through the axially aligned bearing 612. A portion of the bearing 612 is provided with a longitudinally extending tongue which cooperates with a longitudinally extending groove provided on the piston shah 646 to provide relative longitudinal motion between the bearing block and the shah 646 in the same manner as illustrated in FIG. 10. An interior bore 648 recesses into the interior end of the piston rod 646 a suhicient distance to permit adequate piston operation as hereinaher more fully set forth. The bore 648 terminates rearwardly in an interiorally threaded shoulder 650 which serves to activate the piston rod 646 upon rotation of the paint roller 626 as hereinafter more fully set forth.

The end plug 624 affixes to the inner aperture core 602 and positively closes the end of the paint roller 626. The threaded rod 656 axially ahixes to the end plug 624 in well-known manner and projects forwardly for piston operating purposes. The rod 656 is threaded substantially along its entire length to provide adequate length of thread for piston operation purposes. The threaded section 664 terminates forwardly in a rounded idler section 658 and terminates rearwardly in -a second rounded idler section 660. The rod656 is rota'tively supported at the rear end thereof by the cylinder affixed stationary bearing block 614 and journals within the axially aligned bearing 620. It will be appreciated that as the threaded section 664 turns within the internal threads 650 provided at the interior end of the piston rod 646, the piston rod will be pulled rearwardly or pushed forwardly by clockwise or counterclockwise operation of the threaded sections 664 and 650.

A spring 652 bottoms in the forward end of the interior recess 648 and functions to urge the idler section 660 past the threaded section 650 so that the respective threads 650, 664 can engage when the piston 604 is pulled to its rearward most position. Similarly, a second spring 654 biases between the stationary bearing block 610 and the piston rod ahixed washer 662 to thus urge the threaded sections 664, 650 into engagement past the idler section 658 when the piston rod is pushed to its forwardmost position.

it is understood that in the various embodiments of this invention the intake valve may be either a flapper valve as disclosed in the several embodiments of this invention, or may be a spring loaded ball valve, magnetic valve, or any other suitable valve means.

It is further understood that the intake valve may be located in the handle of the roller or within the interior of the roller, depending upon specification requirements.

I claim:

1. A self-feeding paint roller comprising A. a hollow holder having two ends,

1. one said end adapted to be communicated with a source of paint;

B. a roller assembly supported for rotation on the said other end of the holder;

C. a fluid-receiving chamber within said roller assembly adopted to receive paint from the source through the hollow handle,

1. said chamber intermittently communicating with fluid permeable means provided in the outer surface of said roller assembly to selectively introduce paint to the fluid permeable means;

D. a piston mounted within said fluid-receiving chamber and movable between first and second position;

E. a piston rod having two ends and connected at one end thereof to said piston for movement thereof,

1. the second end of said piston rod being supported by a first stationary bearing medially carried within the fluid-receiving chamber,

a. said piston rod having longitudinal motion with respect to said first bearing;

F. interacting screw thread means comprising a rotatable thread and a nonrotatable thread,

l. said rotatable thread afiixedly connecting to said roller assembly to' thereby rotate when the roller assembly rotates,

2. said nonrotatable thread affixedly connecting to the second end of said piston rod, whereby the said piston rod is urged longitudinally with respect to said bearing by interaction of the screw thread means caused by rotation of the roller assembly.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the said screw thread means axially position within the said roller assembly.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the said rotatable thread terminates at the ends thereof in nonthreaded idler sections.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein the said nonrotatable thread terminates at the ends thereof in nonthreaded idler sections.

5. The invention of claim 3 and spring means biasing the said idler sections away from the said nonrotatable threads.

6. The invention of claim 4 and spring means biasing the said idler sections away from the said rotatable threads.

* I I. I I 

1. A self-feeding paint roller comprising A. a hollow holder having two ends,
 1. one said end adapted to be communicated with a source of paint; B. a roller assembly supported for rotation on the said other end of the holder; C. a fluid-receiving chamber within said roller assembly adopted to receive paint from the source through the hollow handle,
 1. said chamber intermittently communicating with fluid permeable means provided in the outer surface of said roller assembly to selectively introduce paint to the fluid permeable means; D. a piston mounted within said fluid-receiving chamber and movable between first and second position; E. a piston rod having two ends and connected at one end thereof to said piston for movement thereof,
 1. the second end of said piston rod being supported by a first stationary bearing medially carried within the fluid-receiving chamber, a. said piston rod having longitudinal motion with respect to said first bearing; F. interacting screw thread means comprising a rotatable thread and a nonrotatable thread,
 1. said rotatable thread affixedly connecting to said roller assembly to thereby rotate When the roller assembly rotates,
 2. said nonrotatable thread affixedly connecting to the second end of said piston rod, whereby the said piston rod is urged longitudinally with respect to said bearing by interaction of the screw thread means caused by rotation of the roller assembly.
 2. said nonrotatable thread affixedly connecting to the second end of said piston rod, whereby the said piston rod is urged longitudinally with respect to said bearing by interaction of the screw thread means caused by rotation of the roller assembly.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the said screw thread means axially position within the said roller assembly.
 3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the said rotatable thread terminates at the ends thereof in nonthreaded idler sections.
 4. The invention of claim 1 wherein the said nonrotatable thread terminates at the ends thereof in nonthreaded idler sections.
 5. The invention of claim 3 and spring means biasing the said idler sections away from the said nonrotatable threads.
 6. The invention of claim 4 and spring means biasing the said idler sections away from the said rotatable threads. 